"There was a time when the Tatsu-Ya name was synonymous with ramen in Austin. Prior to 2012 when it opened, there really wasn’t anywhere else to get it, unless you were painstakingly making it yourself, or trying to convince yourself that the little plastic package of crunchy noodles in your pantry was “basically the same thing.” All these years later, and there’s still a line snaking around the building at most of their locations (North, East, Zilker, and South Austin, to name a few), for a bowl of their signature pork tonkotsu. Between the long lines, and the soundtrack that could only have been picked by a DJ-turned-ramen chef (true story), getting into Ramen Tatsu-Ya feels like you just walked into Austin’s hottest club." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"Some nights, all you want to do after work is sweat through some weird new workout class, before eating a $17 salad. Other nights, though, nothing sounds better than a big bowl of noodles, and when that happens, go to Ramen Tatsu-ya. This place serves very good ramen, and it’s a great spot to refuel for the underwater self-defense seminar you already signed up for in the morning." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs, max bonem
"This Austin-based ramen shop puts an Asian spin on the michelada at its many locations. The Kimchilada uses Sapporo beer as the base, infusing it with a spicy bloody mary mix, bonito flakes, house katsu sauce, and kimchi for a burst of umami, with a togarashi salted rim. Pickup orders for all locations can be placed online." - Reese Oxner
"Some of the state’s best ramen can be found over at Ramen Tatsu-ya, luckily with a location in Zilker. Choose from ramen made with pork bone broth, chicken shoyu broth, or the almond-milk-and-mushroom combination for a vegan option. Small bites and sides are also available. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. After, see if you can snag a reservation or a rare walk-in seat at its neighboring sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Between the long lines, and the soundtrack that could only have been picked by a DJ-turned-ramen chef (true story), getting into Ramen Tatsu-ya feels like you just walked into Austin’s hottest club. But unlike at the club, where you’re probably showing up with others, at Ramen Tatsu-Ya you can post up at the long row of single seats lining the kitchen and have a few moments alone with a bowl of noodles, while basking in the energy around you." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion